US 2016/0236867 A1Published application

Modular, multi-function smart storage containers

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorsJeremiah David Brazeau, Morris Choun Chung, Eric James Fitting

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A system to provide additional functionality to robots in automated warehouse systems is disclosed. The system can include a number of additional components that can be attached to existing components of the warehouse system to improve safety, functionality, and decrease costs. The system can provide modular tools to enable robots to perform additional tasks without having equipment permanently installed on the robots. The bases or shelves for the automated warehouse system can be equipped with robotic arms, lights, cameras, sensors, actuators and other components to enable a robot to utilize a particular tool for a particular job. The robot and the bases or shelving units can also comprise complementary electronic connections to provide power and/or data communications between the robot, the bases or shelving units, and/or a management module.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a management module to direct one or more components of the system;
a robot comprising:
a drive system to move the robot within a warehouse;
one or more sensors to provide data to at least the robot or the management module;
a lifting mechanism, with a retracted position and an extended position, to lift the one or more components of the system off of a floor of the warehouse, the lifting mechanism being in the extended position to move, via the drive system, the one or more components of the system within the warehouse;
and
one or more connections to transfer power and provide communications between the robot and the one or more components of the system;
a robotic arm base tool comprising:
a base comprising one or more complementary connections to transfer power and provide communications between the robotic arm base tool and the robot;
and
a robotic arm coupled to the base and connected to at least one of the one or more complementary connections,
wherein the robot is configured to perform a first operation when uncoupled from the robotic arm base tool and perform a second, different operation with the robotic arm when coupled to the robotic arm base tool.

9 more elements

A system comprising:

a robot comprising:
a drive system to move the robot within an environment;
a lifting mechanism, with a retracted position and an extended position, to connect to one or more components of the system within the environment;
and
one or more connections to transfer power or provide communications between the robot and the one or more components of the system;
and
a base tool comprising:
a base comprising one or more complementary connections to transfer power or provide communications between the base tool and the robot;
and
a tool disposed on the base and coupled to at least one of the one or more complementary connections;
wherein the one or more connections and the one or more complementary connections are connected between the robot and the base tool in the extended position;
and
wherein the one or more connections and the one or more complementary connections are disconnected between the robot and the base tool in the retracted position.

10 more elements

A system comprising:

a robot comprising:
a drive system to move the robot within an environment;
a lifting mechanism, with a retracted position and an extended position, to selectively connect to one or more components of the system within the environment;
and
one or more connections to transfer power or data between the robot and the one or more components of the system;
a first base tool, comprising a first base and a first tool and one or more first complementary connections to transfer power or data between the first base tool and the robot;
and
a second, different base tool, comprising a shelving unit and one or more second complementary connections to transfer power or data between the second base tool and the robot, the second base tool comprising:
one or more shelves, each shelf comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, to store inventory items;
and
one or more electronic components connected to the one or more second complementary connections;
wherein the one or more connections and the one or more first complementary connections or the one or more second complementary connections are connected between the robot and the first base tool or the second base tool, respectively, in the extended position;
wherein the one or more connections and the one or more first complementary connections or the one or more second complementary connections are disconnected between the robot and the first base tool or the second base tool, respectively, in the retracted position;
wherein the robot connects to the first base tool to perform a first operation using the first base tool;
and
wherein the robot connects to the second base tool to perform a second, different operation using the second base tool.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/622,559Filed 13 Feb 2015
Published: 18 Aug 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B65G 1/1378
For fulfilling orders in warehouses: the orders being assembled on fixed commissioning areas remote from the storage areas
G06Q 10/08741
Inventory fulfillment: by picking of items from inventory for fulfillment
B25J 5/007
Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages: mounted on wheels
G06Q 10/087
Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management: inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling,…